Doubling upNewcomer Shaun Cody is turning back the clock and showing the Texans he’s a man of multiple positions

JORDAN GODWIN, Copyright 2009 Houston Chronicle |
August 12, 2009

In camp, Shaun Cody (6-4, 310) has been working to prove his pass rushing abilities, and he's earned a lot of praise from his coaches.

Defensive tackle Shaun Cody has been looking a lot like the player he was during his heyday on USC's 2004 national championship team.

Cody, who was drafted in the second round by the Detroit Lions before signing as a free agent with the Texans in the offseason, is trying to take advantage of the opportunity he's been given.

“We've been impressed,” coach Gary Kubiak said after practice Tuesday. “What we're trying to do with Shaun is practice him the right way, and I think he can contribute to this team a great deal.”

Cody played defensive end at USC for three years. Before his senior season, he was moved to defensive tackle and excelled. He was a team captain and a Lombardi Award finalist who the Lions couldn't pass up in the 2005 draft.

Cody missed 10 games in 2006 with a dislocated toe but has played in 15 or more games in every other year. After last season's 0-16 finish in Detroit, Cody made the move to Houston with quarterback Dan Orlovsky. Cody, who signed a three-year contract in March, said he has enjoyed the atmosphere with the Texans.

“It's good to be on a team that's in the hunt,” Cody said. “The vibe is real good here, and I'm very excited about playing for this team.”

The coaches like him at two positions so Cody is competing against a moving target. For the inside tackle position, he's primarily working against Amobi Okoye and DelJuan Robinson.

In camp, Cody (6-4, 310) has been working to prove his pass rushing abilities, and he's earned a lot of praise from his coaches.

“You always want to get your pass rush and technique better,” Cody said. “But for us big guys, training camp is mostly about conditioning and get ready for the season.”

The coaches believe that Cody still has the versatility to play two positions, like he did in college.

“He can start for us at any time if we need him,” defensive coordinator Frank Bush said. “He's done a real good job with leadership, and his versatility is a plus.”

Cody said that he enjoys playing in Bush's system, but one of the things that enticed him to sign with the Texans was the hiring of defensive line coach Bill Kollar.

“Bill Kollar is a great line defensive line coach,” Cody said. “I had heard things about him around the league, and things are going well playing under him.”

After a season of wintry gloom in Detroit, Cody is ready to prove himself in Houston. With sweat dripping down the “SC” tattoo on his arm, practices may be more humid than his native Southern California, but Cody is happy to be back in the sun.